Method for providing a transport container system, and a transport container system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a process for providing a transport container system with a container internal temperature within a target range. The transport container system has a container having a receiving space wherein the temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature and at least two PCM elements which can be removed from the container and inserted into the container. All PCM elements have the same phase change material. At least one first PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this first PCM element is in a completely solid state. At least one second PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this second PCM element is in a completely liquid state. The tempered PCM elements are arranged in the container. The tempering and the PCM elements are configured in such a way that after the PCM elements have been arranged in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.The invention also relates to a suitable transport container system for transporting a temperature-sensitive object in a target range of a container&#39;s internal temperature.

The invention relates to a method for providing a transport container system with a container internal temperature within a target range according to claim 1 or 2 and a transport container system for transporting a temperature-sensitive object within a target range of the container internal temperature according to claim 14 or 15.

When heat is stored in a suitable storage material, its temperature usually increases. This form of heat storage is called perceptible or sensible heat storage.

If a phase change occurs in a suitable material, e.g. the change from the solid to the liquid phase (or vice versa), the relationship between the temperature of the storage material and the heat absorbed (or given off) by the storage material is no longer linear. In the case of a change from solid to liquid, the heat storage material begins to melt when a phase change temperature range is reached. The phase change temperature range depends on the storage material and can be very narrow, e.g. 1 K, but it can also extend beyond 8 K. In this phase change temperature range, the temperature of the storage material remains until the storage material has completely melted. Only then does the temperature rise again with further absorption of heat.

Since there is practically no increase in temperature for a long time despite the supply of heat, this is called latent heat. In the case of the typical solid/liquid phase change, for example, the latent heat is equal to the heat of fusion or crystallization of the storage material.

A latent heat storage material has the great advantage that it can store relatively large amounts of heat within a narrow temperature range. Since the phase change takes place at an essentially constant temperature over a certain period of time, one has the possibility of compensating for temperature fluctuations and avoiding temperature peaks.

Latent heat storage materials are known in various forms. These materials are also called phase change materials (PCM).

Typically, for phase change materials one does not define the phase change temperature range, but a phase change temperature within the phase change temperature range. Usually the phase change temperature represents a target temperature to which the phase change material should be tempered, i.e. quasi the working point. If a target temperature of about 0° C. is reached, water with different additives can be used as latent heat storage material. For cold storage below 0° C., for example, suitably prepared salt solutions are used.

In the range just above 0° C. other materials, e.g. those based on paraffins, are more suitable.

In detail, reference is made as background to the overview article of the ESD information service “Themeninfo IV/02 aus dem Jahr 2002”, (Fachinformationszentrum Karlsruhe, project number 0329840A-D, available at www.bine.info, keyword: “Latentwarmespeicher”). The content of this literature reference on the general background of latent heat storage materials and their possible applications is hereby made by reference to the disclosure content of the present patent application.

According to the present invention, a latent heat storage element, also known as PCM element, is a latent heat storage material in a closed enclosure, possibly also provided with a pressure compensation valve. Preferably it is a macro-encapsulated PCM. However, microencapsulated PCMs can also be used. The enclosure is often made of plastic. The basic construction of so-called cold packs, for example, is well known.

Such PCM elements can be considered individually or as a plurality of latent heat storage elements installed, for example, in a corresponding container.

PCM elements of the type in question are now available for a wide range of target temperatures, especially from the applicant (brochure “va-Q-tec Packaging Portfolio, January 2011”). There one finds latent heat storage elements for target temperatures of 37° C., 22° C., 18° C., 5° C., 0° C., −19° C., −21° C., −26° C. and −37° C. Other suppliers have comparable PCM elements in their sales program, partly also for other target temperatures.

PCM elements of the type in question are used in a special field of application in thermally insulated and/or heat-insulated containers, especially for transport purposes. For example, this applies to the transport of temperature-sensitive goods, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnological products, transplantation goods or blood preserves. In one field of application, for example pharmaceuticals, the optimum transport and storage temperature or container internal temperature that must be strictly adhered to is, for example, approximately 18° C., wherein a small deviation within a target range of the container internal temperature of 15° C. to 25° C. may be acceptable. Temperatures outside this target temperature range must therefore be avoided.

It is known from practice to use PCM elements whose phase change temperature is as close as possible to the container internal temperature. In this case, the phase change temperature of the PCM elements must be reliably reached and maintained as the target temperature with a comparatively small deviation. In the following, the target temperature is defined as the temperature which is maintained by the PCM elements during the phase change with a small deviation (namely within the phase change temperature range) and which results from the phase change material used for the PCM elements. The target temperature typically matches the desired container internal temperature, but may deviate from it to a small extent.

In this procedure, the PCM elements are tempered (preconditioned) to a temperature just below or just above their target temperature, in particular cooled to a pre-cooling temperature. This pre-cooling temperature is within the above-mentioned target range of the internal container temperature. At the end of preconditioning, the phase change material of the PCM elements exhibits a completely solid state of aggregation.

For preconditioning the PCM elements, the pre-cooling temperature must be reached as accurately as possible. In addition, the pre-cooling temperature and thus the means for preconditioning are linked to the target temperature or the desired container internal temperature. This may require special means for tempering or preconditioning. Furthermore, this process is susceptible to temperature fluctuations during preconditioning. Deviations from the pre-cooling temperature can result in the phase change material not or not completely being converted into a solid phase and thus less heat can be absorbed when used in a transport container system. The required container internal temperature can then only be guaranteed for a significantly shorter period of time.

For the preconditioning of such PCM elements, they are tempered in a cold room, for example. In cold rooms, certain temperatures have become established as so-called standard cold room temperatures for which common and widely used cold rooms are available on the market Corresponding standard cold room temperatures are for example 5° C. and −25° C. In principle, it is also possible to use cold rooms for temperatures that deviate from the standard cold room temperatures. Cold storage rooms that are suitable for temperatures deviating from the standard cold storage room temperatures are usually much more expensive to purchase due to their lower distribution. Furthermore, non-standard cold rooms do not usually have a very precise tempering. Corresponding cold rooms have a typical tolerance range of +/−2 K. A correspondingly precise tempering of the cold room is therefore unavoidable and usually associated with high costs.

To improve the known process, more powerful PCM elements available on the market can be used. However, more powerful PCM elements are associated with significantly higher acquisition costs. At the same time, however, the complexity of pre-cooling and the associated problems remain.

The present invention is therefore based on the task to improve the known process with respect to the complexity of the preconditioning, the handling of the preconditioning, the susceptibility to temperature fluctuations during preconditioning and/or the costs.

The previously mentioned task is solved by a procedure according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments and further developments are subject of the relevant sub-claims.

The method according to the invention serves to provide a transport container system in which the container internal temperature is within a target range. The transport container system has a heat-insulated, closable container having a receiving space for an object to be transported. The temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature. The transport container system has at least two PCM elements that can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, wherein all PCM elements have the same phase change material.

In the method according to the invention, at least one first PCM element is tempered, in particular precooled, in such a way that the phase change material of this first PCM element is present in a completely solid state of aggregation. At least one second PCM element is tempered, in particular precooled, in such a way that the phase change material of this second PCM element is present in a completely liquid state of aggregation. The PCM elements tempered in this way are arranged in the container. The tempering and the PCM elements are configured and/or adjusted in such a way that the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range after the PCM elements have been arranged in the container.

The invention is thus based on the idea of using at least two PCM elements with the same phase change material, wherein at least one first PCM element is arranged in a completely solid state of aggregation (“solid PCM element”) and at least one second PCM element is arranged in a completely liquid state of aggregation (“liquid PCM element”) for use in the transport container system. The first PCM element is pre-tempered to a different temperature (outside the latent range) than the second PCM element. After insertion into the container, a temperature adjustment takes place. At the end of the temperature adjustment in the container, the container internal temperature is within the target range.

Not according to the invention is the case in which the first or second PCM element is tempered in such a way that at the end of the preconditioning and/or when the PCM elements are inserted into the container, the phase change material of these PCM elements is present in a mixed state, i.e. partly liquid and partly solid.

With the method according to the invention, the pre-cooling temperature of the first PCM element and that of the second PCM element and thus the means for preconditioning are decoupled from the target temperature of the PCM elements. Thus, at least one of the two pre-cooling temperatures can lie within a temperature range that allows the use of a common infrastructure for preconditioning. For preconditioning outside the latent range, especially cold rooms with common standard cold room temperatures can be selected. Thus, it is no longer necessary to use special cold rooms adapted to the target temperature and thus expensive if a standard infrastructure of cold rooms can be used.

The process according to the invention is significantly less susceptible to temperature fluctuations during preconditioning than the known process. The influence of pre-cooling is significantly reduced, since a deviation of the cooling temperature can no longer lead to an undesired phase change. The pre-cooling process is therefore significantly less susceptible to disturbances.

It has also been shown that the pre-cooling time can be reduced by conditioning outside the latent range.

By using only one phase change material, the complexity and costs are low.

Preferably, the phase change material of the PCM elements has a phase change temperature range in which the phase change material changes from the solid to the liquid state of aggregation and/or vice versa. This phase change temperature range preferably does not include a temperature of 0° C. In this case, water is not suitable as a phase change material.

To implement the process advantageously, the at least one first PCM element is tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range. In addition, the at least one second PCM element outside the container is tempered to a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range.

The pre-cooling temperature, for example, is decisive for an advantageous configuration of the tempering. For an advantageous configuration of the PCM elements, parameters such as the number, size, and arranging of the PCM elements as well as the mass of the phase change material in the respective PCM element can be considered.

Preferably, the number and/or the size and/or arranging of the PCM elements tempered to the respective temperature and/or the mass of the phase change material of the PCM elements tempered to the respective temperature is/are selected in such a way that after arranging of the PCM elements tempered to the respective temperature in the container, the internal temperature of the container reaches a value within the target range.

The tempered PCM elements can be arranged in the container in such a way that each solid PCM element is in contact with at least one liquid PCM element. In this way, a particularly fast and advantageous temperature equalization between the PCM elements can take place, wherein the desired container internal temperature is reached within a very short time, preferably within a few minutes. In principle, however, it is also possible to arrange the PCM elements in the container as desired, for example without touching each other.

The previously mentioned task is also solved by a method according to claim 2. Preferred embodiments and further developments are subject of the relevant sub-claims.

This method according to the invention is used to provide a transport container system in which the container internal temperature is within a target range. The transport container system has a heat-insulated, closable container having a receiving space for an object to be transported. The temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature. The transport container system has at least two PCM elements that can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, wherein all PCM elements have the same phase change material.

In the method according to the invention, at least a first PCM element is tempered, in particular pre-cooled, outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range. At least one second PCM element is tempered, in particular pre-cooled, outside the container to a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range. The PCM elements tempered in this way are arranged in the container. The tempering and the PCM elements are configured and/or adjusted in such a way that after the PCM elements have been arranged in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.

For this second method according to the invention, the same advantages result as explained for the first method according to the invention. For the second method according to the invention, the preferred forms of the first method according to the invention can be applied.

The phase change material of the at least one first PCM element is preferably present in a completely solid state of aggregation after tempering to a temperature below the phase change temperature range. The phase change material of the at least one second PCM element is preferably in a completely liquid state of aggregation after tempering to a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range.

However, the method according to the invention also comprises cases in which the phase change material of the at least one first PCM element and the phase change material of the at least one second PCM element is gel-like and is present in a mixed state (partly solid, partly liquid) after said tempering.

The preferred embodiments described below can be applied to both methods according to the invention.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one first PCM element is tempered to a temperature of at least 10 K below the phase change temperature range (and/or the lower limit of the phase change temperature range) and/or at least one PCM element is tempered to a temperature of at least 1 K above the phase change temperature range (and/or the upper limit of the phase change temperature range). Tempering the at least one PCM element to a temperature at least 10 K below the phase change temperature range means that a temperature fluctuation of up to 2 K during preconditioning has no negative influence on the performance of the PCM element. The PCM element is then present in a completely solid phase regardless of the temperature fluctuation during preconditioning.

It is further preferred to temper the at least one first PCM element in a cold room with an internal temperature of about 2° C. to about 8° C. or in a deep-freeze room with an internal temperature of less than or equal to −10° C., preferably about −25° C. Cold rooms with an internal temperature of about 5° C., i.e. a range between about 2° C. to about 8° C., and deep-freeze rooms with an internal temperature of about −25° C. are used as common and widely used pre-cooling rooms. For this reason, the aforementioned cold rooms are to be regarded as standard infrastructure for the pre-tempering of PCM elements. Pre-cooling to the above-mentioned temperatures is thus possible in a simple and cost-effective way.

It is particularly advantageous to preheat one PCM element within a temperature range of 10 K to 20 K, preferably 10 K to 15 K, below the phase change temperature range and/or the phase change temperature of the phase change material, and all other PCM elements (and/or at least one other PCM element) within a temperature range of 1 K to 10 K, preferably 1 K to 5 K, above the phase change temperature range and/or the phase change temperature of the phase change material.

For example, a phase change material with a phase change temperature of 17.8° C. can be used for a desired container internal temperature of 18° C. At least one PCM element can then be pre-tempered at a temperature of 5° C. and at least one other PCM element at a temperature of 19° C. After arranging the tempered PCM elements in the container, the desired container internal temperature of 18° C. is reached within a short period of time inside the container. In a closed transport container system, the internal temperature of the container can be kept within a temperature range between 15° C. and 25° C. (target range) for a long period of time, i.e. for at least 100 hours. The above-mentioned time range refers to an ambient temperature between 4° C. and 30° C.

For a desired container internal temperature of 5° C. with a tolerable temperature range of 2° C. to 8° C., at least one PCM element can be pre-tempered to a temperature of −25° C. and at least one PCM element to a temperature of 20.5° C. In a closed transport container system the tolerable temperature range can be maintained for at least 165 hours.

In addition, there are a large number of applications where goods have to be transported at temperatures below −20° C. For such requirements, PCM elements can be used with a phase change material that has a phase change temperature of −26° C. Here it is possible to pre-cool all PCM elements to a temperature of −35° C. At an ambient temperature of 29.5° C., the internal temperature of the container can be kept below −20° C. for at least 92 hours.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, all first PCM elements and/or all those which are tempered to a temperature below the phase change temperature range have a mass fraction of the total phase change material arranged in the container of 5 to 85%, further preferably of 5 to 35%. Advantageous in this context means that due to the pre-tempered PCM elements in the transport container system, the container internal temperature can be kept within the target range over a long period of time. At the same time, a low mass fraction of phase change material pre-tempered below the phase change temperature range means that the desired container internal temperature is reached within a short time after the tempered PCM elements have been arranged in the container.

Preferably, the container has a bottom, a mantle and a lid.

According to a first alternative, at least one PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this PCM element is in a completely solid or completely liquid state of aggregation, and is arranged at the bottom or lid. At least one further PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this further first PCM element is present in a completely solid or completely liquid state of aggregation and is arranged on the lid or bottom. Optionally, at least one further PCM element, preferably four further PCM elements, is/are tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of the respective second PCM element is present in a completely solid or completely liquid state of aggregation, and is arranged on the mantle. In this way, an advantageous temperature equalization between the PCM elements is achieved.

According to a second alternative, a PCM element is tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range and is placed at the bottom or lid.

Another PCM element is tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range and placed on the lid or bottom. Optionally, at least one further PCM element, preferably four further PCM elements, is/are tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range and arranged on the mantle.

In both alternatives, the tempering and arranging of the PCM elements can be selected depending on the ambient temperature.

In a particularly preferred design, six PCM elements are provided, each of which is arranged on an inner surface of a thermal insulation element and preferably covers the thermal insulation elements completely. For example, those PCM elements which are later arranged on the bottom and the lid are tempered to a temperature below the phase change temperature range and the remaining PCM elements which are later arranged on the mantle are tempered to a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range. Preferably, the container is rectangular in shape. This special rectangular arrangement with six PCM elements means that each PCM element tempered to a temperature below the phase change temperature range is in contact with all PCM elements tempered to a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range. In this way, a favorable heat exchange between the PCM elements is achieved.

The formation of a container of PCM elements within the transport container system also leads to a more homogeneous temperature distribution within the container and/or improved shielding and/or insulation of the goods to be transported, which are arranged within the volume defined by the PCM elements. At the same time, the desired container internal temperature is reached within a short period of time. In addition, the container internal temperature can be kept within the target range over a long period of time.

In principle, the container of the transport container system can have any shape. For example, the container can have a cuboid or cylindrical shape. Also other geometries of the container are basically possible.

According to the invention, it may be provided that an object to be transported is placed in the receiving space of the container and the container is closed. It is advantageous that the PCM elements, after being arranged in the container, are each in contact with at least one inner surface of the thermal insulation elements and enclose a transport volume in which an object to be transported is placed. The container is then closed. The PCM elements are then each assigned to one thermal insulation element and preferably have a predetermined size that matches the dimensions of the assigned inner surface of the thermal insulation elements. It is particularly advantageous if exactly one PCM element is assigned to each inner surface. In this case, the PCM elements form a common inner volume to accommodate an object to be transported. However, it is also possible that more than one PCM element is assigned to one or more inner surfaces of the thermal insulation elements.

The thermal insulation elements are arranged on the inner surfaces of the container and lie against them. The inner surfaces of the container are completely covered by the thermal insulation elements. The thermal insulation elements can preferably be removed and/or replaced individually. However, it is also possible that the thermal insulation elements can only be removed and/or replaced together.

The above-mentioned task is also solved by a transport container system according to claim 14.

The transport container system according to the invention serves to transport a temperature-sensitive object within a target range of the container internal temperature. The transport container system has a heat-insulated, closable container with a receiving space for the object to be transported. The temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature. The transport container system has at least two PCM elements that can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, wherein all PCM elements have the same phase change material. The phase change material of at least one first PCM element is present in a completely solid state when inserted into the container. The phase change material of at least one second PCM element is present in a completely liquid state when inserted into the container.

The above-mentioned task is also solved by a transport container system according to claim 15.

The transport container system according to the invention serves to transport a temperature-sensitive object within a target range of a container internal temperature. The transport container system has a heat-insulated, closable container with a receiving space for the object to be transported. The temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature. The transport container system has at least two PCM elements that can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, wherein all PCM elements have the same phase change material. The phase change material of at least one first PCM element has a temperature below the phase change temperature range when inserted into the container and the phase change material of at least one second PCM element has a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range when inserted into the container.

Preferred embodiments and further developments of both transport container systems are subject of the relevant subclaims.

With both transport container systems, the container internal temperature can be kept within the target range over a long period of time.

Preferably, the phase change material of the PCM elements has a phase change temperature range in which the phase change material changes from the solid to the liquid state of aggregation and/or vice versa. This phase change temperature range preferably does not include a temperature of 0° C. In this case, water is not suitable as a phase change material.

Advantageously, the at least one first PCM element, when inserted into the container, has a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in particular a temperature of at least 10 K below the phase change temperature range, and/or the at least one second PCM element, when inserted into the container, has a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range, in particular a temperature of at least 1 K above the phase change temperature range. For a desired container internal temperature and/or target temperature of 18° C., at least one PCM element can be pre-tempered to a temperature of 5° C. and at least one PCM element to a temperature of 19° C. For a target temperature of 5° C., for example, it is possible that at least one PCM element is pre-tempered to a temperature of −25° C. and at least one PCM element to a temperature of 20° C.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the phase change material of all first PCM elements together have a mass fraction of the total phase change material arranged in the container of 5 to 85%, especially preferably 5 to 35%.

In a particularly advantageous design, the PCM elements contain an immobilized, preferably gel-like, phase change material and/or a foam. “Immobilized” in the context of the invention means that the phase change material has a high viscosity even in its liquid phase. A gel-like formation of the phase change material offers the advantage that in case of a leakage of the PCM element the leakage of the phase change material can be reduced or completely prevented. Thus, the functionality of a defective PCM element can be maintained at least partially. At the same time, it may be possible to prevent a material to be transported from coming into contact with leaked phase change material.

It is further advantageous if the phase change material contains a nucleating agent for nucleation during the phase change. During the phase change from a liquid to a solid phase, the phase change material crystallizes. The nucleating agents contribute to nucleation, which serves as the starting point for crystal growth. The crystal formation and thus the crystallization of the phase change material is thus accelerated.

Preferably the container has a bottom, a mantle and a lid. At least one of the first PCM elements and/or one of the second PCM elements is located at the bottom. At least one of the first PCM elements and/or one of the second PCM elements is arranged on the lid. Optionally, at least one of the first PCM elements and/or one of the second PCM elements is/are arranged on the mantle.

At least one of the first PCM elements, i.e. at least one PCM element whose phase change material is in a completely solid state of aggregation when inserted into the container, is particularly preferred at the bottom. At least one such PCM element is also arranged on the lid (completely solid state of aggregation). At least one of the second PCM elements is arranged on the mantle, i.e. at least one PCM element whose phase change material is present in the completely liquid state of aggregation when inserted into the container.

Preferably, thermal insulation elements are arranged in the container. Preferably, the thermal insulation elements are designed as vacuum insulation panels. Preferably, the vacuum insulation panels are arranged on the inner surfaces of the container. Vacuum insulation panels have in principle been known for a long time, but they are constantly being perfected in terms of manufacturing technology and materials. For vacuum insulation panels, reference may be made to DE 100 58 566 C2 and EP 3 018 398 A1, which date back to the applicant of the present application. Such vacuum insulation panels are currently the most efficient thermal insulation elements.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, exactly six PCM elements are provided, each arranged on an inner surface of one of the thermal insulation elements and preferably covering the thermal insulation elements completely. Preferably, the container is rectangular in shape.

The previously described embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other as required. The disclosure content of the invention is not limited to the combination of invention features given by the selected paragraph formatting.

Further features of the present invention result from the following description of two examples of implementation of the invention based on the drawings and the drawings themselves. All described and/or pictorially represented features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the present invention, irrespective of their summary in the claims or their retro-relationships.

In the following, the invention is now explained in more detail by means of two preferred design examples; it shows

FIG. 1 schematically in an exploded view a first example of an embodiment of a transport container system according to the invention and

FIG. 2 schematically in a front view a second example of an embodiment of a transport container system according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows schematically in an exploded view a first example of a transport container system 1. The transport container system 1 serves for the transport of a temperature-sensitive object in a target range of a container internal temperature. The transport container system 1 has a heat-insulated, closable container 2 with a receiving space for an object to be transported. Six thermal insulation elements 3, here designed as vacuum insulation panels, are arranged in container 2. The temperature inside the container 2 is the temperature of the container.

In the illustrated and preferred example of an embodiment, the transport container system 1 has six PCM elements 4 that can be removed from container 2 and inserted into container 2. All PCM elements 4 have the same phase change material with a specific phase change temperature range. All PCM elements 4 are of the same dimensions and contain the same mass of phase change material.

In the illustrated and preferred example of an embodiment, the container 2 has a bottom 5, a mantle 6 and a lid 7. The container 2 is here designed as a cuboid. The mantle 6 thus has four side walls standing perpendicular to each other. Already in the general part of the description it has been pointed out that other container shapes are also known, for example with a cylinder or cube shape.

In the example of an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the thermal insulation elements 3 are arranged in the container 2 on the wall side of its inner surfaces. The thermal insulation elements 3 can be removed from the container 2 and inserted into the container 2. Each thermal insulation element 3 has predetermined dimensions which match the assigned inner surface of the container 2. The thermal insulation elements 3 result in a good insulation of the receiving space of the container 2.

In FIG. 1, a total of five of the six thermal insulation elements 3 used are visible, wherein each of the inner surfaces of the four mantle sides is assigned a thermal insulation element 3 and wherein each of the inner surfaces of the lid 7 and the bottom 5 is assigned a thermal insulation element 3. The thermal insulation elements 3 can be individually removed from the transport container system 1 and individually inserted into the transport container system 1. If a thermal insulation element 3 is damaged, only the defective thermal insulation element 3 can be replaced. However, in the general description section it has already been pointed out that there could also be only one thermal insulation element 3 which completely covers both the inner surface of the bottom 5 and the inner surfaces of the mantle 6. Thus, only two thermal insulation elements 3 would be provided, with the second thermal insulation element 3 located on the inner surface of the lid 7.

In the example of an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the six PCM elements 4 in the transport container system 1 are arranged on the wall side on the inner surfaces of the thermal insulation elements. Each PCM element 4 can be removed from container 2 and inserted into container 2. Each PCM element 4 has predetermined dimensions matching the assigned inner surface of the thermal insulation elements 3.

In the illustrated and preferred example of an embodiment, two PCM elements 4—namely the one arranged at the bottom 5 and the one arranged at the lid 7—have a temperature below the phase change temperature range when inserted into the container 2, preferably about 13 K below the phase change temperature range. The phase change material of these two PCM elements 4 is then in a completely solid state of aggregation. Four PCM elements 4—namely those arranged on the mantle 6—have a temperature above the phase change temperature range when inserted into the container 2, preferably about 1 K to 4 K above the phase change temperature range. The phase change material of these four PCM elements 4 is then in a completely liquid state of aggregation.

In the illustrated and preferred example of an embodiment, the phase change material of the PCM elements 4, whose phase change material is present in a completely solid state of aggregation when inserted into container 2, makes up a mass fraction of ⅓ of the total phase change material present in container 2.

On the basis of the transport container system shown in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the procedure according to the invention is described below. The phase change temperature of the PCM elements is preferably 17.8° C.

First, two PCM elements 4 outside the container 2 are tempered to a temperature below the phase change temperature, preferably to −5° C. For this purpose, a cold room with an internal temperature of approx. 2° C. to approx. 8° C. is used. Four PCM elements 4 are tempered outside of container 2 to a temperature above the phase change temperature, preferably to a temperature above 19° C. The tempered PCM elements 4 are then placed inside the container 2. A PCM element 4, which has been tempered to a temperature above the phase change temperature, is placed at the bottom 5. The second PCM element 4, which has been tempered to a temperature above the phase change temperature, is placed on the lid 7. The remaining four PCM elements 4, namely the PCM elements 4 tempered to a temperature above the phase change temperature, are arranged on the mantle 6. Finally, an object to be transported is placed in the receiving space of container 2 and container 2 is closed.

Due to the selected temperature below the phase change temperature and the temperature above the phase change temperature and the dimensioning and arranging of the pre-tempered PCM elements, the internal temperature in container 2 reaches a value within the target range.

FIG. 2 shows schematically in a front view a second example of an embodiment of a transport container system 1. The transport container system 1 serves for the transport of a temperature-sensitive object in a target range of a container internal temperature. The transport container system 1 has a heat-insulated, closable container 2 with a receiving space for an object to be transported. Several thermal insulation elements 3, here designed as vacuum insulation panels, are arranged in the container 2. The temperature inside the container 2 is the same as the temperature inside the container.

The transport container system 1 according to FIG. 2 has several, namely 52, PCM elements 4 that can be removed from container 2 and inserted into container 2. It is generally preferred if the number of PCM elements 4 is between 36 and 76. All PCM elements 4 have the same phase change material with a specific phase change temperature. All PCM elements 4 are of the same dimensions and contain the same mass of phase change material.

The transport container system 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a bottom 5, a mantle 6 and a lid 7, which is firmly connected to the mantle 6. The mantle 6 has a door 8. Thermal insulation elements 3 are arranged on the inner surfaces of the transport container system 1. On each inner surface of the thermal insulation elements 3, slide-in guides 9 can be provided in which the PCM elements 4 can be arranged. The slide-in guides 9 can be designed to be extendable in order to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the PCM elements 4. The transport container system 1 shown in FIG. 2 is particularly suitable for large goods to be transported or alternatively for a large number of small goods to be transported which are to be transported within the same temperature range.

In the preferred example of an embodiment shown in FIG. 2, 43 PCM elements 4 have a temperature below the phase change temperature when inserted into container 2, preferably approx. −25° C. Nine PCM elements 4 have a temperature above the phase change temperature when inserted into container 2, preferably approx. 20.5° C.

In the illustrated and preferred example of an embodiment, the phase change material of the PCM elements 4, whose phase change material is present in a completely solid state of aggregation when inserted into container 2, makes up a mass fraction of the total phase change material present in container 2 of 43/52.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 transport container system     -   2 container of 1     -   3 thermal insulation element of 2     -   4 PCM element from 1     -   5 bottom of 2     -   6 mantle of 2     -   7 lid of 2     -   8 door from 6     -   9 slide-in guides 

1. A method for providing a transport container system with a container internal temperature within a target range, wherein the transport container system comprises a heat-insulated, closable container having a receiving space for an object to be transported, wherein the temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature, wherein the transport container system has at least two PCM elements which can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, wherein all PCM elements have the same phase change material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: at least one first PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this first PCM element is in the completely solid state of aggregation, and at least one second PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this second PCM element is in the completely liquid state of aggregation, the PCM elements thus tempered are arranged in the container and the tempering and the PCM elements are configured in such a way that after the PCM elements have been arranged in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.
 2. The method for providing a transport container system with a container internal temperature within a target range, wherein the transport container system comprises a heat-insulated, closable container having a receiving space for an object to be transported, wherein the temperature in the receiving space of the container is the container internal temperature, wherein the transport container system has at least two PCM elements which can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, wherein all PCM elements have the same phase change material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: at least one first PCM element is tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range and at least one second PCM element is tempered outside the container a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range, the PCM elements thus tempered are arranged in the container and the tempering and the PCM elements are configured in such a way that, after the PCM elements have been arranged in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of PCM elements selected in such a way that after arranging the accordingly tempered PCM elements in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the size of the PCM elements is selected in such a way that after arranging the accordingly tempered PCM elements the container, the internal temperature of the container reaches a value within the target range.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the PCM elements is selected in such a way that after arranging the accordingly tempered PCM elements in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mass of the phase change material of the PCM elements is selected such that after arranging the accordingly tempered PCM elements in the container, the container internal temperature reaches a value within the target range.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first PCM element is tempered in a cold room with an internal temperature of about 2° C. to about 8° C. or in a deep-freeze room with an internal temperature of less than or equal to −10° C., preferably about −25° C.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein all first PCM elements together have a mass fraction of the total phase change material arranged in the container of 5-85%, preferably 5-35%.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein an object to be transported is placed in the receiving space of the container and the container is closed.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container has a bottom, a mantle and a lid, wherein a PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this first PCM element is in a completely solid or completely liquid state of aggregation, and is arranged on the bottom or lid, wherein a further PCM element is tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of this further PCM element is in a completely solid or completely liquid state of aggregation, and is arranged on the lid or bottom.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein at least one further PCM element, preferably four further PCM elements, is/are tempered outside the container in such a way that the phase change material of the respective second PCM element is in a completely solid or completely liquid state of aggregation, and is/are arranged on the mantle.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the container has a bottom, a mantle and a lid, wherein a PCM element is tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range and is arranged on the bottom or lid, wherein a further PCM element is tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range and is arranged on the lid or bottom.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein at least one further PCM element, preferably four further PCM elements, is/are tempered outside the container to a temperature below the phase change temperature range, in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range and is/are arranged on the mantle.
 14. A transport container system for transporting a temperature-sensitive object in a target range of a container internal temperature, wherein the transport container system comprises a thermally insulated, closable container having a receiving space for the object to be transported, the transport container system has at least two PCM elements which can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, all PCM elements have the same phase change material, and the phase change material of at least one first PCM element is completely in the solid state of aggregation when inserted into the container and the phase change material of at least one second PCM element is completely in the liquid state of aggregation when inserted into the container.
 15. A transport container system for transporting a temperature-sensitive object in a target range of a container internal temperature, wherein the transport container system comprises a thermally insulated, closable container having a receiving space for the object to be transported, the transport container system has at least two PCM elements which can be removed from the container and inserted into the container, all PCM elements have the same phase change material, and the phase change material of at least one first PCM element has a temperature below the phase change temperature range when inserted into the container, and the phase change material of at least one second PCM element has a temperature in the phase change temperature range or above the phase change temperature range when inserted into the container.
 16. The transport container system according to claim 14, wherein the phase change material of all first PCM elements together have a mass fraction of the total phase change material present in the container of 5-85%, preferably 5-35%.
 17. The transport container system according to claim 14, wherein the PCM elements contain an immobilized, preferably gel-like, phase change material and/or a foam.
 18. The transport container system according to claim 14, wherein the phase change material comprises a nucleating agent for nucleation during phase change.
 19. The transport container system according to claim 14, wherein thermal insulation elements, preferably designed as vacuum insulation panels, are arranged in the container for thermal insulation.
 20. The transport container system according to claim 14, wherein the container has a bottom, a mantle and a lid, at least one of the first PCM elements and/or one of the second PCM elements is arranged on the bottom, and at least one of the first PCM elements and/or one of the second PCM elements is arranged on the lid.
 21. The transport container system according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the first PCM elements and/or one of the second PCM elements is arranged on the lid.
 22. The transport container system according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the first PCM elements is arranged on the bottom, at least one of the first PCM elements is arranged on the lid, and at least one of the second PCM elements is arranged on the mantle. 